Over the 28 years I have been teaching art, I have always wanted to share lessons, art ideas and just some helpful and maybe not so helpful tips. I've thought about doing a blog for quite some time but always chickened out. My lack of proper grammar, terrible spelling, my over use of run on sentences and my undiagnosed dyslexia had always stopped me in my tracks. However, now that I'm 50! What???!!!! I figured I better stop making excuses. So, here's the maiden voyage of the Studio Claremont Blog, with all the run-on sentences, grammatical errors and sentences that don't make sense.So for everyone who asks us, "How did you get the kids to do that?", HERE IT IS!!!! I will try to post as many lessons as I can for all of you who are interested. Just keep checking our website and newsletter for new posts.

Our first project of the year was to create...BIG HEADED MONSTERSthey will go on display for our Annual Halloween ART SHOW. "THE MONSTER MASH"Please join us,Saturday October 25th6:00-8:00at Studio ClaremontEnjoy spooky art, sweet treats and a haunted basement. Wear your costume if you have one.

First we had to make paper mache balloon balls using newspaper, balloons and starch.

The next week when the paper mache was dry we put a strong coat of primer paint on them. Since primer paint is so sticky to the kids, we lotion their hands first and cover the tables.

The primer paint dries really fast, so then we could paint the heads with a base coat for their monsters. We also added features like teeth, eyes, lips, ears and nose out of paperclay. To make sure the paperclay stuck, we had the kids use some glue.

On week three we added an acrylic wash, watered down paint. We love to put washes on just about everything because it really plays up the texture and adds so much depth and value. So, yellow heads got a green wash or orange wash, white heads got a blue wash and black heads got a purple wash.

Then it was time to add those fine little details with the fine little brush. During this time is when they hear me say, "Go slow, take your time, use the tip of the brush" and guess what? THEY DO IT! They really listen and are so AMAZING!

We also had to make the base and for many of our new students it was their first time with clay. So, it was a lesson in rolling coils and balls. WOW! We are really using our fine motor skills!

Once the bodies were dry enough I fired them in our kiln to 1888 degrees! They come out all nice and strong and ready for the painting of clothes.

Ah, it only took four weeks to get to this point but they look AWESOME! Now they can get their accessories like hair, skirts and hats. Then they can go on display for the big Halloween ART SHOW in the front window

We've got all of our paint and our accessories and we are ready for the front window!

Yahoooo! You took that first step. You are an amazing woman that has made this world a happier place. The seeds you have planted in these kids lives will last a lifetime! Thanks for doing what you do Gabby!!